Machine for binding wreaths



H. L. NIELSEN MACHINE FOR BINDING WREATHS June 10, 1952 1 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed June 14, 1950 IMMUK: [/1 78 ltldyy fll elsen June 10, 1952, H.L. NIELSEN 2,600,071

MACHINE FOR BINDING WREATHS Filed June 14, 1950 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 06 8855 82 r28 (80 Y///// 4/94 do I //nM/Aum' Ilium 'Ay Mg E IN V! NT 0R: 1/00: [udvzy A Q'lscn,

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June 10, 1952 H. L. NIELSEN MACHINE FOR BINDING WREATHS Filed June 14,1950 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENYWK: l /ans [tide/1:9 Nielsem,

June 10, 1952 NIELSEN 2,600,071

MACHINE FOR BINDING WREATHS Filed June 14, 1950 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 June10, 1952 H. L. NIELSEN MACHINE FOR BINDING WREATHS l2'SheetsSheet 5Filed June 14, 1950 INVENTOR. fl ludvz'] Nielsen BY June 10, 1952 H. L.NIELSEN MACHINE FOR BINDING WREATHS l2 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 14,1950 INVEA/TUA Wise,

June 10, 1952 H. L. NIELSEN 2,600,071

MACHINE FOR BINDING WREATHS Filed June 14, 1950 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 356332 324 342 38 3 34 .936 3,8 W E I 354 INVENTOR- fians Ll dvl'g NielsenBY June 10, 1952 NIELSEN MACHINE FOR BINDING WREATHS 12 Sheets-Sheet 8Filed June 14, 1950 June 10, 1952 H. 1.. NIELSEN 2,600,071

i MACHINE FOR BINDING WREATHS Filed June 14, 1950 12 SheetsSheet 9INVENTOR: 2740s L11 (1* A/z'e /se B Y June 10, 1952 H. NIELSEN 2,600,071

MACHINE FOR BINDING WREATHS Filed June 14, 1950 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVEN TOR flan: [udvz' Nielsen,

June 10, 1952 H. NIELSEN MACHINE FOR BINDING WREATHS 12 Sheets-Sheet 11Filed June 14, 1950 June 10, 1952 H. L. NIELSEN 2,600,071

MACHINE FOR BINDING WREATHS I Filed June 14, 1950 I 12 Sheets-Sheet 12Patented June 10, 1952 Application June 14, 1950, Serial No. 167,964 InDenmark March 18, 1944 7 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for binding wreaths of straw or thelike fibrous materialsuch as f or instance used as basefor wreaths ofthe kind used at funerals, on church-yards or the like, I

It is the object of the invention to provide a machine for producingsuch wreaths of nniform and different sizesin rational mass production.A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the kindreferred to, which is simple and reliable in operation. 7 7

Still a further object, is to provide a machine of this kind, whichcaneasily be adjusted to produce wreaths of different sizes.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a machine, whichis simple in construction and easy in operation. 7 V

With these and. other objects in view the invention will now bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawing in which VFig. l is a perspective plan view of a machine according to theinvention, Y 7 V Fig. 2 is a perspective fragmentary view of the lefthand front part of the machine shown in Fig. 1 in another embodiment,

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional viewthru apart of thetable of the machineshown in Fig. 1 taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing on a, larger scale adetail of the driving mechanism for the rotating ring shown in Figs. 1and 3, and taken on line i -4 of Fig. 3-, v V

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of part of the driving mechanism forthe threedriving rollers shown in. Fig.1 behind the vertical ring, withthe table plate removed,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view corresponding to. thatshowninliig dwith the top part of the vertical ring omitted and a show--ing instead of the rollers, g v

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional View showing a detail of the drivingmechanism shown in Fig. 5

taken in the direction of the arrow 1 of Fig. 5,

- Fig. 8 is a large scale perspective view showing the details of thewire holder shown in Fig. 1. on the vertical ring,

Fig. 9. is. a perspective fragmentary sectional view of the drivingmechanism shown in Fig. 5 seen from the under side. of the-machinetable,

Fig. 10 is a large scale fragmentary elevational view of the drivingmechanism. for one of the three rollers shown in Figs. 5 and 6, I

Fig. 11 is. a vertical section of the mechanism shown in Fig. 10 alongthe line 10-11 in Fig-.10,

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another embodi- ATENT OFFICE ment ofthe driving mechanism shown in Fig. 9 seen from the bottom,

Fig. 13 is a large scale elevational view, partly in section,illustrating another detail. of a driving mechanism for the verticalring shown in Figs. 1 and 3, H

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary-large scale vertical sectional view thru one ofthe three rollers showing its arrangement relatively to the surface ofthe table,

Fig. 15 is a side view of the outer guide for the wreath shown on thetop of the table in Fig. 1,

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the guide shown in Fig. 15,

Fig. 17 is a largescale vertical sectional view thru one of the guiderollers along the line i'E-i'i in Fig. 16 in a large scale,

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the table showing thearrangement of the driving mo- Fig. 19 is a perspective fragmentary viewof the machine shown in Fig. 1 with the ringand rollers omitted andshowing another embodiment of the uides,

Fig. 20 is a side elevational view of a set of feeding funnels,

Fig. 21 is a plan view of a set of guides,

Fig. 22 is a side elevational' view of a set of rollers,

Fig. 23 is a perspective fragmentary view of the machine showing how.the straw is'fedthru the guides during the binding of a Wreath, and

2 lis a fractional perspective view. of a modified embodiment of theroller driving mechanism shown frombelow.

In the following description equal parts oi the different figures arereferred to by equal reference numerals. Thebase of the machineis thetable 20 as shown in Fig. 1 having at each corner a leg, of which onlythe three legs 22, 24 and 25 are shown in Fig. 1.

In the table an aperture generally referred to as 28 and more clearlyshownin Fig. 1.9 is provided. The central part .30. of the aperture israther narrow,- but near the ends the, aperture has enlarged portions32. andfidrespctztively, extending behind the rear edge at of. thenarrow portion 30,. but leaving the front edge. 38" of the aperturesubstantially linearv along its. whole length. Adjacent the iront edgeas of. the aperture a pivotable armgenerally referred ,to as 48 isarranged. This arm is at. its one. end. 50 by means of av 52.hingedlyconnected toa small hinge plate 54 secured .to the top surfaceof. the table by means of screws, rivets or the like 5'0.

Near the middle the pivotable arm 48 has an arcuate portion 58 formed asa funnel and having its widest opening 60 towards the front edge 62 ofthe table.

Adjacent the left side enlarged portion 32 of the aperture 28 an arcuatearm I54 is secured to the top surface of the table 20 near the hingeplate 54. This arm may be secured by welding in case of the table beingconstructed wholly by metal, or it may be secured by screws from thebottom side of the table or in any other convenient manner. On the topof the pivotable arm 48 a hook 66 (Fig. 3) is arranged, in which one endof a helical spring 68 engages. The other end of this spring 68 issecured to an arm of a U-shaped member 12 having another arm 14extending from the top of the arcuate arm 64 and secured thereto forinst. as shown in Fig. 3 by means of a screw 16. Adjacent the front edge18 of the arm 46 a rectangular small aperture 80 is provided in thetable surface. Thru this aperture 80 a pivotable pawl or hook 82 extendsadapted to snap over the end 18 of the arm 48 by a projecting hookportion 84 having an inclined surface 08, as best shown in Fig. 3. Thehook 82 is formed as a two-armed lever 80, 90 mounted on a bracket 92secured to the underside of the table by means of screws 54 or the like.A screw or the like 96 allows the hook arm to swing. The lower part ofthe hook arm 90 is of enlarged diameter at 90 and is provided with acentral hole I00. As shown in Fig. 9 this hole I00 provides a passagefor a pin or rod I02 that projects on the end of a pivotable arm I04arranged under the table substantially parallel with the surface thereofand adapted to swing about the pin 86. The pin I06 extends from the endof another pin I08 serving as a distance element to keep the lever I04in position in spaced relationship to the table. The free end of the rodI02 is at its end provided with a stop member H0 and is surrounded by aspring II2 abutting with its one end against the portion of enlargeddiameter 98 and with its other end against the stop member I16 thusserving to keep the hook 82 in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 19engaging the end 18 of the arm 48 to keep it in alignment with the tablesurface against the lifting action of the spring 68.

Adjacent the front edge 82 of the table a screen or guide [I4 (Figs. 1,2, 19 and 23) is arranged extending from near the left hand front cornerof the table to the left side of the funnel opening 60. This screen forinstance is made of metal plate and has secured thereto near the middleat its lower edge a rectangular extending arm IIG, which is clampedagainst the table surface to keep the screen H4 upright and in theposition shown. To effect this clamping a screw or bolt H8 (Fig. 19) isprovided on the surface of the table to receive a clamping member I20having a long arm I22 and a short arm I24 enabling it to hold the arm II5 in position by means of a wing nut I26. Extending from the right handside of the funnel opening 60 a similar screen or guide I28 (Fig. l) isarranged. This screen or guide I28 is substantially arcuate, forming apart of a cylinder having its other end I30 (Fig. 19) terminating at adistance from the rear edge of the aperture 28, substantially oppositethe right hand side of the narrow funnel opening of the funnel 58. Theguide I28 is provided with vertical arms I32 and I34 at its lower edge.These arms extend inwardly towards a center of the cylinder and servethe purpose of securing the screen I23 to the table surface by means ofclamping members I36 and I38 together with wing nuts I40 and 5 I42 in asimilar manner as described in connection with the screen I I4.

Concentric with the guiding member I28 another guiding member I44 isarranged (Figs. 1 and 16) having its left hand end I46 substantiallyopposite the left hand side of the narrow opening of the funnel 58 inspaced relationship thereto. This guiding member I28, details of whichare shown in Figs. 15, 16 and 1'1, consists of two spaced arcuateL-shaped rails I48 and I50 (Fig. 1'1) between which a plurality ofrollers I 52 are arranged. Each roller has a central bore I54 for thepassage of a pin I58 as shown in detail in Fig. 17. The ends of the pinsmay be riveted at I60 and IE2 or in another way secured to the L-shapedarcuate rails to enable free rotation of the rollers. The lower railI5!) is provided with outwardly extending vertical arms I64, I66 and I68(Figs. '1 and 16) to be clamped against the top surface of the table byscrews carrying wing nuts I18 and I12 and I14 and clamping members I16,I18 and I80 in a similar manner as the guiding member I28. As seen inFig. 1 the annular space between the two guiding members I28 and I44 ishereby left unobstructed. The right hand edge of the guiding member I44is provided with a pivotable plate I82, which at I84 is hingedlyconnected to the ends of the two rails I48 and I50, and which isinfluenced by a spring I88 having its one end abutting against thevertical flange of the rail I48 and its other end abutting against theouter surface of the plate I82. The spring may as indicated have a fewor a single turn I88 (Fig. 16) wound round an elongated outwardlyextending portion I90 of the last of the pins I58.

The arcuate arm 64 extends with an other arcuate portion I92 under thetable 20 (Figs. 3 and 18). This portion is semi-circular and is at itsremoved end I94 secured to the under side of the table. As shown in Fig.3 the two portions 64 and I92 form a part of a circle, which underneaththe table bridges the aperture 28 from one end thereof to the other andabove the table partly extends over said aperture. The

[arcuate member 64, I92 serves as support for guiding members for a ringmember I96 rotatably arranged substantially concentric with the arcuatemember 64, I92.

To support the ring member I96 a plurality of rollers are arrangedextending inwardly from the arcuate member 64, I 02. In the embodimentshown in Fig. 3 there are provided three such roller members. The twolower roller members I98, 200 respectively are arranged freely rotatableon the end of each of two radial arms 202 and 204 respectively, eachprovided with longitudinal slots 206 and 208 respectively to enableadjustment in radial direction. The arms 202 and 204 are secured andkept in position by means of screws or the like 2I0 and 2I2respectively. Be-

tween the two rollers I98 and 200 a further roller 2 I4, the arrangementof which is shown in Figs.

3 and 6, and illustrated more detailed in Fig. 4,

is arranged. This roller 2 I4, the shape of which corresponds to thethree other supporting rollers,

has a cylindrical portion 2I6 with rims 2I8 and 220 respectively, toguide the rotatable ring I98 and preventing it from escaping in sidewarddirection from the support. The roller 2I4 is by means of a pin 222 andball bearings, of which only one, 224, is shown in the section of Fig.4, arranged between two pivotable arms 228 and 228 on each side of thering member I92 and secured thereto by means of a pin 239. The otherends of the two arms 226 and 228 are also connected by means of a pin232, the central part of which 234 is of slightly larger diameter thanthe end parts in order to keep the two arms 226 and 228 in spacedrelationship parallel to each other. The central part is furtherprovided with a groove 238 for the attachment of a spring 238, the otherend of which is secured to a hook 249 (Fig. 3) on the lower surface ofthe table 29 and urging the roller 2 I4 to engage the outer periphery ofthe ring member [96.

On the top side 64 of the supportin member 94, I92 a corresponding thirdsupporting roller 242 is arranged on the inner end of a radial arm 244having a longitudinal slot 243 to enable a radial movement guided byscrews 29 and 248, the screw 76 serving also the purpose of holding theU-shaped member I3, I2, '54. The arm 244 extends outside the arcuatemember 62 and is at its top end provided with sidewardly bent portions259 (Figs. 1 and 3) terminating in small tubular members 253 receivingscrew threaded hooks 294 each connected with a spring 256 and 258respectively the other ends of which are connected with each of the twoarms I9 and 74, the springs thus pressing the roller 292 in radialdirection to engage the outer surface of the rotatable ring member I93to keep the same also in engagement with the rollers I98 and 299. Thetop ends of the screw threaded hooks 254 are provided with nuts 299 toenable easy and simple adjustment of the resilient pressure of theroller 242. It will be appreciated that the diameter of the cylindricalpart of the four rollers I98, 299, 2 I9 and 292 must be slightly lessthan the annular space between the rotatable ring I98 and the supportingmember 64, I92.

To offset the rotation of the ring I99 and thereby the operation of themachine an electric motor 262 is provided and suspended in the mannerdiagrammatically shown in Fig. 13. The motor is arranged on a plate 266,which by means of hinges 258 is carried on the transverse bar 299between the two legs 24 and 29 of the table (Fig. 1). On this bar alsoan electric switch 219 is arranged, one side of which by means of acable 212 is connected to the supply means and the other side of whichby a cable 214 is connected to the motor circuit. From a pulley 279 onthe motor an endless belt 219 is arranged over another pulley 289 (Figs.3, 6, 13 and 18) on the end of a pivotable lever 282 carried by thesupporting member I92 by means of a pin 284. The length of the belt 219is so adjusted that the motor and its base plate 284. will be in theslightly inclined position substantially as shown in Fig. 18.

The arrangement of the parts is more detailed shown in Fig. 13. Theright hand part 296 of the lever 282- is as shown in section in Fig. 13provided with a parallel lever 288 arranged on the other side of themember [92 and carried by the pin 234. A distance member 299 serves tokeep lever arm 2-89 in spaced relation to the member H92 substantiallyparallel therewith and a similar distance member 292 serves the samepurpose with respect to the arm 28.3. The pulley 2-89 is secured to arotatable shaft 294 supported by roller bearings, of which only one 299is shown in section in Fig. 13. The pulley 2-89 is arranged adja ent thelever arm 28.6 laterally of the memi mounted for rotatable movement.

her I92. Also secured to the rotatable shaft 294 a driving roller 298 isprovided arranged opposite the interior periphery of the member I92between this and the ring I96. The other lever arm 399 of "the lever 282is connected to a tension spring 392 the other end of which is securedto a hook 394 (Fig. 3) mounted on the lower surface of the table, thusurging the lever 282 to p vot about the pin 284 with the drivin roller I38 releasing the ring I96. To prevent the driving roller to engage thestationary supporting member I92 during the rotation, a stop member 395(Figs. 3 and 6) is provided on the front side of the'member I92 to limitthe movement of the lever arm 286 in direction away from the ring I96. v

The lever arm 399, as best shown in Fig. 1, extends thru an elongatedaperture 398 in a plate 3I9 secured to the table leg 22 and arrangedsubstantially perpendicular to the arm 399. At the free end the leverarm 399 is provided with a handle 3 I2. The lower end of the aperture398 is provided with a lateral extension 3I4 limited in upward directionby an abutment surface 3I3, under which the lever 399 can be locked bypressing down the handle3-I2 corresponding to an engagement between thedriving roller 298 and the ring I96.

Behind the aperture 28 in the table 29 seen from the front edge 62thereof and referring now to Fig. 19, three apertures 3I8, 329 and 322are provided. The two apertures 3I8 and 3-29 are of substantiallycircular form and arranged in alignment substantially perpendicular tothe edge 36 of the aperture '28 located substantially opposite the lefthand side of the narrow opening of the funnel 58-. The aperture 322 iselongated or curved having its center in the neighbour-hood of the edge39 and located in such a manner that it extends with its left hand endsubstantially opposite the right hand side of the narrow opening of thefunnel 58.

In these three apertures driving rollers 324, 326 and 32-8 (Fig. 1)respectively are arranged Details of the arrangement of one of theserollers, namely the roller 324, mounted in the aperture 3I8, are shownin Fig. 14 showing in part a section thru the roller 324. The roller isof substantially hyperbolic form having its smallest diameter at 339slightly above the table surface. The diameter is larger at the top 332than at the foot 334. At the bottom the roller has a substantiallycircular disc shapedfoot portion 336 of slightly smaller diameter thanthe diameter of the aperture 318. Alon the major part of its length theroller has vertical projecting ribs,v 338, distributed round the surfacein spaced relationship. These ribs start from the foot portion 339 andterminate either as shown under the top or extend the whole Way up. Thruthe roller 324 an axial hole 349 is provided; for the passage of aspindle or shaft 342; The shaft is arranged in bearings 344, 346 in twoplates 348 and 359 arranged in spaced relationshipand also spaced fromthe bottom side of the table 29 (Figs. 7, 9 and 14). A cross pin or thelike 352 is arranged thru the shaft 342 and engages a cross aperture 354in the lower side of the foot portion 339 of the roller 3-24 to enablethe roller to rotate with the shaft and simultaneously supporting theroller in the position shown with the top surface of the foot portion333 substantially in the same plane as the table surface. It will beunderstood that this support and driving connection within the limits ofthe invention can be made in any other convenient manner so as forinstance by a square disc or the like connected with the shaft 342 andreceived in a square aperture in the bottom of the foot portion 336 ofthe roller. The top of the shaft is screw-threaded at 356 and the roller324 is provided with a wing nut 358 enabling the roller easily to bemounted or detached.

Between the two plates 348 and 359 a pinion 360 is arranged adapted toset the roller in rotation.

In Figs. and 6 where the driving mechanism for the rollers are shown indetail the pinions for the two other rollers 326 and 828 are designated389 and 390 respectively and wing nuts 318 and 388 respectively and theshafts by 356 and 386 respectively.

As shown in Fig. 4 the shaft 222 is connected with a universal joint400, which is the same as shown in the front part of Fig. 5, and whichis also shown in Fig. 6 with reference to the explanation of theoperation of the driving mechanism. It will be understood that the shaft222 and thereby also the driving mechanism, which will now be describedin the following will be actuated by the cooperation of the roller 254(Figs. 4, 5 and 6) with the outer arcuate surface of the ring I96.

The other end of the universal joint 466 is connected to 'one end of ashaft or spindle 462, the other end of which is connected to a furtheruniversal joint 464 (Figs. 5 and 6), which in turn is connected to stillanother spindle 486 (Fig. 5) mounted in a bearing 498 arranged under thetable and carried thereby by means of an arm 4 l6 extending from thelower plate 855 of the two plates shown in Fig. 14, see also Fig. 9. Theend of the shaft 466 on the other side of the bearing 498 is providedwith a circular disc 4I2 (Figs. 5, 6 and 7) having a radial slot 4l4(Fig. '7), in which is secured by means of a screw or the like 4") oneend of an arm or rod 415. The connection is arranged in such a mannerthat the arm or rod 4l8 acts as a crank lever having its crank armadjustable by adjusting the position of the screw 416 in the slot 4M. Atthe end of the arm 418 a further universal joint 426 (Figs. 5, 6 and 7)is arranged connected to one end of a further rod 422, which againcarries a universal joint 424 connected with one end of still a furtherrod 426.

As it will be understood the rotation of the roller 2l4 (Figs. 3 and 4),by engaging the surface of the ring I96 will cause transmission of amovement resulting in an. axial reciprocating and oscillating movementof the rod 426 (Fig. 5) As shown in Fig. 14 the spindle 342 extends thruthe lower bearing 346 with a portion designated 428, as shown in Fig. 6.The rod 426 thus making a combined reciprocating and oscillatingmovement is connected with the lower portion 428 of the spindle 342, bymeans of a ratchet gear mechanism, the details of which are shown inFigs. and 11. This gear mechanism comprises a ratchet wheel 486 securedto the shaft portion 428 and arranged between the two bifurcatedportions 432 and 434 of a fork member 436 connected to the end of therod 426 for instance as shown by having its screw threaded end 488screwed in a hole 449. The rear side of the bifurcated portions is alongpart of its length closed by a member having on its interior side arecess 444 adapted to support one end of a spring 446, the other end ofwhich engages a recess 443 in a pivotable ratchet lever 456 pivotablymounted on a pin 452 so as to have its other end 454 engaged with theteeth of the ratchet wheel 436.

It will be understood that this mechanism dur ing the combinedoscillating and reciprocating movement of the arm 426 will act as aratchet wrench imparting upon the shaft portion 428 a step by stepmovement in direction of the arrow in Fig. 5.

The arrangement of the two pinions 366 (Figs. 5, 6 and 14) and 380 (Fig.5) with appertaining rollers 324 and 326 between the two plates 348 and350 is more detailed shown in Fig. 9 where for the sake of clearness thepinions have been omitted. The two plates 348 and 359 form the top andbottom plate respectively of a squarelike box having ends 456 and 458secured under the table for instance by means of four screws designed469, 462, 464 and 466 respectively, as shown in Fig. 5. The end portion456 has a triangular extension 488 carrying at its top a bearing 419 fora double link lever 412, 414, which is connected to another double linklever or link 416, 418. The joint of the two links is designed by 480.The upper lever 412 is extended beyond the bearing 412 at 482, see alsoFig. l and is at its free end provided with a handle 484. The other endof the said other link lever 416, 4T8 is connected by means of a pin 486(Fig. 5) with a pair of spaced triangular plates 488, 499. The otherends of these triangular plates are supported for swinging movement by apin 492 on a projection portion 494 of the other end portion 458. Theother end of the lever I04 is by means of a pin 496 connected to thethird top 495 of the lower triangular plate 499. The third roller 328(Fig. 5) with appertaining pinion 398 is carried by the two triangularplates 488 and 496 with the pinion arranged between: these plates in thesame horizontal plane as the two other pinions 366 and 380. As readilyunderstood from the drawing the movement of the handle 484 (Fig. l) inhorizontal plan in direction towards the edge 62 of the table 20 indirection of the arrow shown in Fig. 5 will cause the double platetriangle 488, 496 to pivot about the pin 492, see Fig. 5 to bring thepinion 396 to mesh with the two other pinions 386 and 380 to cause allthree rollers to be rotated intermittently under the influence of thedriving mechanism in direction of the arrow indicated in Fig. 5.

The handle lever 482 may be locked in a slotted plate extending belowthe side edge of the table (not shown) in a similar manner as the handlelever 3l6 was locked. Upon release of the handle and moving it incounterclockwise direction the link movement will cause the triangulardouble plate 488, 496 to move in direction of the arrow shown rightthereto in Fig. 5 to disengage the pinions and thereby stop the rotationof the three rollers. The end portion 456 (Fig. 9) has a perpendicularextension 451 provided at its end with an abutment 459 to limit themovement of the triangular plate. This abutment may be supported by acentral screw connecting it to the underside of the table.

As indicated in Fig. 1 a spool 598 provided with winding wire582 isarranged on an arm 564 extending laterally behind the rotatably mountedring I96. The two enlarged portions 32 and 34 of the aperture 28 servethe purpose of allowing this spool to pass thru the table during therotation of the ring. Adjacent the spool on the interior of the ring I96a small bracket 506 (Fig. 3) is mounted carrying a pin 508 having aeoomi9 at its end a guiding hole 'I0 for the passage of the end of the wire562 and preferably spaced from the end a small bushing 5'I2 with afurther guiding hole 5M for the wire.

The details of the spool and its arrangement is shown in enlarged scalein Fig. 8. The arm 554 has a short portion 516 screw. threaded at itsend at 5I8 to enable its attachment to the ring I 96 by screwing it intoa hole 520 (Figs. 1 and 3) therein. Substantially perpendicular to theportion 5I5 a long portion-522 is arranged bifurcated at 524 at its endand carries here pivotably about a short pin 526 an arm 528 adaptedeither to form a cross bar or having its one end'lying between the twoforkedportions to be in alignment with the rod 522. Near the bentportion between the long and the short portion a ring 530 is secured tothelong portion 522 or in other manner, limited in its movement towardsthe bent portion, for instance by mounting near the ring 539 a pin (notshown) traversing the long portion 522. Against this ring 536-one end ofa spring 532 is abutting. At the other end of the a further loose ring5-34 is provided serving as abutment for the lower flange 536 of thespool 566. The other flange 5380f the spool consists merely of a rounddisc loosely mounted on the rod 522. Also loosely mounted on the longportion 522 between the disc 538 and the pivoted arm 528 is a. bushingEdilhaving a plurality of diametrically opposite slots 542-, 544and 566extending from the right hand end surface in varying depth therefrom. Asreadily understood the arrangement of atubular spool of wire 562 on thespool 566 between the two end flanges 536 and 533 thereof will cause amore or less bias from the spring 532 depending upon, in which of theslots 542, 544 or 546 the arm 5-28 is arranged as a cross bar.

The rotatably arranged ring I56 is composed of two portions. A mainportion 550 (Fig. 3.) comprising substantially three-fourths of thecircle and another portion 552 hingedly connected thereto by means .of ahinge -554--and-com prising the remaining quarter of the circle. The twoportions of the ring may be closed. by engaging their ends. The end ofthe main portion 556, which in Fig. v3 is .shown partly in section isbifurcated, only the rear part 556 'of the fork being shown in Fig. 3.The bottom of the fork has at 558 an inclined surface, which is notradial. Between the two forks asmall pin 566 is arranged. The end of thering portion 552 is shaped to engage the bifurcatedend of the mainportion by means of a projection .562 having a small recess 564 tofitround the pin 560. To keep the two portions locked together alockinglever 556 is mounted pivotably by means of a rivet 566 on the interiorside of the ringportion 552. The locking lever has at one side a smallrecess 516 adapted to engage under the head 572 of a small rivetarranged on theinterior side of the main ring portion556. Aswill bereadily understood'this enables a looking with maintaining a smoothouter surface of the ringindependent of the locking.

In operation the machine described above works as follows:

In the following operation the production of a wreath ring of straw is'presupposed, but it will readily be understood thatthe machineis notrestricted to the productionof rings butjcaneasily be used for producingofobjects of any other form.

Initially the ring I56 is closed (Fig; 1) and the lever 48 pressed downto its lower position with the projecting portion 84 of the hook 82snapping over its end. The handle 3I2 of the lever 3-06 is then presseddown to engage the driving roller 298 (Fig. 13) with the exteriorsurface of the ring I96 either before or after switching on the motor262 (Fig. 18) by means of the switch 216 (Fig. 1). Then the handle 4-64is moved in counterclockwise direction to engage the three pinions 360,386 and 390 (Fig. 5) to set the three rollers 32 i, 326 and 328 inrotation. A suitable bundle of straw is then taken, corresponding insize substantially to the input opening 66 (Fig. 23) of the funnel 58and pressed in thru the opening thereof, until the front portion of itis taken by the ribs of the rollers 324 and 328 (Fig. 6) The operatorthen only has still to supply substantially the same amount of strawcontinuously thru the funnel. Before the front part of the straw hasreached the rollers the operator draws the end of the wire 562 (Fig. 3and 23) down and winds it one or two times round the front portion ofthe straw. During the continuous operation the rotation of the ring I96in connection with the step by step movement of the rollers 325, 326 and328 (Fig. 1) will cause the continuous string of straw to be guided inthe annular space between the two guide plates I 28 and IN. When the endof the continuous string passes the output end it pushes the plate I82away enabling the operator to guide it by hand the remaining part of itsway. The operator takes care that he disconnects the feedingof'straw sothat the two ends-will assemble and allows the connection of the twoends to pass once again thru the rollers to have a double wound joint.When the operator releases the handle .3I2causing the rotatable ring I96to stop and simultaneously also stopping the rollers 32 i, 3261and 328.Then also the handle 536 is released causing the roller 328 to be movedaway from the two other rollers. If necessary the operator gives thering I96 a part of the revolutionto bringit in the position shownin Fig.3 enabling him to open the ring. By releasing the handle 434also theprojecting portion 84 of the hook 82 (Fig. 3) has been released, becausethe swinging of the double triangular plate 488, 496 (Fig. 9) carryingthe roller 528' will cause the arm were move in direction of the arrowshown in Fig. 9 pushingwith its end the lower end of the pawl lever torelease the end of the arm 48 (Fig; 3) enabling it to spring upinfluenced by the spring 68. Then the operator can easily lift up thefinished straw ring after having cut the wire 562 and take the strawring out to start over the operation again by closing the partsputting'in a fresh end of a straw bundle securing the wire 562 (Fig. 23)thereto and then startin the machine again.

No efforts are necessary to operate the machine and the automaticfeeding mechanism in connection with the guiding plates I28 and IE4enables an' unskilled worker to operate the machine after a'few hoursinstruction to produce a uniform product.

In practice many diiferent sizes of wreathrings are used. To enable-themachine to beacljusted to different sizes the funnel lever 48, the threerollers-.326; 326 and 328 and the guides I28, Hill are mounted to beeasily detachable in orderto-be replaced bysimilar parts of otherdimensions.

In Figs. 20, 21 and 22 three sets of such accessories of different sizesareshown each-member being designed by similar references as in theother figures with an index letter corresponding to the capital lettershown for each size. In order to shift the parts only the followingoperations are needed. To shift the funnel 58 only the hinge pin 52(Fig. 3) has to be withdrawn allowing the funnel lever 48 to be removedand a new funnel lever to replace it. To shift the rollers only thethree wing nuts 358, 318 and 388 (Figs. 5, 6 and 14) have to be loosenedand removed allowing the three rollers 324, 326 and 320 to be lifted andreplaced by new rollers of other size. As already explained the guidingmembers I28 and IM are replaced by loosening the respective clampingmembers cooperatingwith the projecting arms attached to the guidingmembers along their lower edges.

Fig. 2 shows the left hand corner of the table with a modifiedembodiment. Instead of a hand lever start operation foot control is hereused. The lever 300 is cut off just after the spring 302 and near thespring a rod 30I is arranged having its other end connected to a pedal303 at its end 305 the other end of the pedal being pivotably arrangedabout a shaft 30! between the two small brackets 309 and 3 carried by aplate 3 I3 connected to the leg 22.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 12 a modification of the drivingmechanism shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is illustrated. Here the crank M2, M4,M6 is eliminated. The spindle 402 terminates under the arm M and carrieshere a universal joint 403, which is connected to a. short, verticalspindle 405 carrying at its top a substantially circular disc 40?. Thisdisc is extending from its underside provided with a recess 409 forminga part of a cylinder. Above this recess a projection 4| I is providedhaving a downwardly extending pin M3 adapted to engage with slots H in aGeneva movement cross 4 I I thus imparting to the shaft 342 for theroller 324 a step by step movement in well known manner. In the modifiedembodiment shown in Fig. 19 another form of outer guiding member insteadof that shown at I44 in Fig. 1 is illustrated. The outer guide heredesigned as I45 simply consists of a cylindrically curved platecorresponding to the interior guide I28, which for many purposes will befully satisfactory to enable operation.

As it will be understood the invention is not limited to the use ofcircular guides. The machine can also of course be used without anyguides at all for the purpose of making long continuous length of strawcolumns surrounded by spiral wound string of wire.

It will also be understood that the details of the machine can bemodified in different respects within the scope of the invention, whichis only limited to the combination of features set forth in the appendedclaims. So for instance Fig. 24 shows a modification of the rollerdriving mechanism as compared to that shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 11.

According to this embodiment the rocking movement of the lever 426 (Fig.5, Fig. 24) is effected by an arm mounted for reciprocating movement andoperated by a cam member on the surface of the rotatable ring I95.

To this effect the lower portion 350 (Fig. 14, Fig. 24) of the rollersupport has a downwardly extension bracket 590 with a vertical portionbelow and in spaced relationship to the portion 359. The end of thevertical portion is provided with a portion 592 of increased crosssection, in which is provided a slot or the like forming a guide for alever 594 mounted for reciprocating movement 12 and extending with itsone end at 590 against the rotatable ring I96. At this end of the lever594 a roller 598 is mounted for instance in a bifurcated end portion ofthe lever 594. The other end of the lever 594 is provided with anotherroller 600 adapted to engage the end of the rocking lever 425. To keepthe lever 26 in engagement with the roller ended arm a spring 602 isprovided between the end of the lever 4M3 and the end of a pin 904 onthe portion 592. The spring also serves to keep the roller 598 inengagement with a lateral surface on the ring 196. In this embodimentthis lateral surface of the ring is provided with a cam surface member604. From Fig. 24 it will readily be understood that when the ring I96rotates in the direction of the arrow shown the lever 594 will be pushedtowards the right side thereby swinging the lever 426 in clockwisedirection seen from the bottom imparting by the mechanism connected withsaid lever a stepwise movement to the rollers to give. a straw bundleclamped therebetween a stepwise forward movement. When the roller 598 isreleased from the cam surface the parts will by means of the spring 602automatically be retracted to their initial position.

While in the foregoing a funnel shaped notch or aperture 53 has beendescribed for the purpose of feeding a straw bundle thru the center ofthe rotating ring to be gripped behind the ring'by the rollers it willbe understood that it will also be possible within the scope of theinvention instead of such funnel shaped opening to duplicate on thefront side of the ring the roller 7 mechanism to form a similarconstruction at the input side as that shown and described behind thering.

Hereby the straw bundle will already at the input end be clamped and fedthru the rotating ring, In such case of two opposite roller mechanismsthe embodiment shown in Fig. 24 is especially advantageous, because thecam members, which in that event must be provided on both lateral sidesof the ring I96 can be arranged opposite each other so that the tworeciprocating levers servin to operate the roller driving mechanism willcounterbalance each other and thereby do not give rise to any lateralreaction forces of the ring.

It will be understood that the machine described can be used as well toproduce linear straw beads as straw rings, in which later event thecircular guiding members serve to form between the output end and theinput end a substantially circular guiding path. In the case of theproduction of linear straw beads the guiding members will have to beremoved from the table surface.

It has been found that even in the production of straw rings thecircular guiding members can be avoided in the case that the rollers arearranged to feed the straw bundles with a higher velocity on one sidethan on the other side. Thus for instance as in the case of Fig. l thetwo rollers 324 and 326 can be of increased diameter. while the roller328 is of decreased diameter. When the three rollers are driven at thesame velocity the circumferential speed of the two rollers havingincreased diameter will be higher than that of the roller havingdecreased diameter giving rise to an uneven action on the straw bundleswhereby it will automatically from the ouput end form itself like aring. In such event the interior guiding member I28 will still be of 13'use for securing a uniform interior diameter of the rings produced.

Iclaim:

1. In a machine for producing straw rings, a table, a detachable armhaving a substantially funnel shaped aperture having a wide opening anda narrow opening pivotably attached to the top surface of said table,resilient means operable to raise said arm to an inclined positionrelatively to said table, locking means to keep said arm in positionadjacent the surface of said table, an aperture in said table surfaceadjacent said arm at the narrow funnel opening side thereof andextending in both directions from said narrow funnel opening, a ringrotatably mounted thru said aperture having its center of rotationsubstantially in alignment with said funnel opening and carrying thereona wire reservoir, a portion of said ring hingedly connected to the otherportion thereof, locking means adapted to lock said two ring portions,at least two rollers mounted for rotatable movement on the top surfaceof said table adjacent said aperture therein and in spaced relationshipopposite said narrow funnel opening, substantially circularguiding-members detachably mounted on the top surface of said table andextending from said rollers to form an annular guiding channelsubstantially from said narrow funnel opening to-said wide funnelopening, means for moving said rollers relatively to each other to clamptherebetween a straw bundle put in thru said funnel opening, means forimparting a continuous rotation movement to said ring and means forintermittently moving said rollers to impart a stepwise forwardif'eedingto said straw bundle clamped therebetween into and thru said annularguiding channel.

2. In a machinefor producing straw rings, a table having a top surface,a structure forming a notch and adapted to be movably connected to saidtable so as to form an aperture by engaging said notch against the tablesurface, means to keep said structure in theposition in which said notchengages saidtable surface, means operable to move said structure to aposition in which said notch is spaced from said table surface, anaperture extending thru said table substantially adjacent saidstructure, a ring rotatably mounted in said aperture havingits centersubstantially in alignment with said notch in said structureand carryinga wire reservoir, said ring being composed of at least two portionshingedly connected to each other, locking means adapted to mutually locksaid ring portions, a pair of substantially circular guiding membersdetachably mounted on the top surface of said table and forming betweenthem a substantially circular guiding path extending between the twosides of said notch, when said structure is engaging the table surface,said path arranged to bypass said rotatably mounted ring.

3. In a machine for producing straw beads, a table, an arm havingsubstantially funnel shaped notch extending from one side thereofmovably arranged relatively to the top surface of said table, means tokeep said arm in a position with said notch adjacent the surface of saidtable, means operable to raise said arm to a position, in which saidnotch is spaced from said table surface, an aperture in said tablesurface adjacent said arm at the narrow funnel opening side thereof andextending in both directions from said narrow funnel opening, a ringrotatably mounted thru said aperture having its center of rotationsubstantially in alignment with said funnel opening and carrying thereona wire reservoir, apertion of said ring hingedly connected to the otherportion thereof, locking means adapted to lock said two ring portions,at least two rollers mount ed for rotatable movement on the top surfaceof said table adjacent said aperture therein and in spaced relationshipopposite said narrow'f'unnel opening, substantially circular guidingmembers detachably mounted on the top surface of said table andextending from said rollers to form an annular guiding channelsubstantially from said narrow funnel opening tosaid wide funnelopening, means for moving said rollers relatively to eachother to clamptherebetween a straw bundle put in thru said funnel opening, means forimparting a continuous rotation movement to said ring and meansfor'intermittently moving said rollers to imparta stepwiseforward feeding tosaid-straw bundle clamped therebetween into and thru said annularguiding channel.

4. In a machine for producing straw heads, a table, an arm having asubstantially funnel shaped aperture movably arranged relatively to thetop surface of said table, means operable to hold said arm in a positionadjacent the surface of said table and means for releasing said arm fromsaid position, an apertur in said table surface adjacent said armextending in both directions from said funnel shaped aperture, a ringrotatably mounted in said aperture having its center of rotationsubstantially in alignment with said funnel shaped aperture and carryingthereon a wire reservoir, a-portion of said ring hingedly connectedtothe other portion thereof, locking means adapted to lock said two ringportions, at

least one rotatably mounted roller on the top surface of said tableadjacent said aperture therein opposite one side of said narrow funnelopening, another roller rotatably mounted in spaced relationship theretoopposite the other side of said narrow funnel opening, a substantiallycircular guiding member detachably mounted to the top surface of saidtable and extending from said first mentioned roller, a furthersubstantially cylindrical guiding member detachably connected to the topsurface of said table extending sub-' stantially from said lastmentioned roller to a point near the wide opening of said funnel to formwith said first mentioned guiding member a substantially annular guidingchannel, means for moving said rollers relatively to each other to clamptherebetween a straw bundle put in thru said funnel opening, means forimparting a continuous rotation to said ring and means forintermittently moving said rollers to impart a stepwise forward feedingto said straw bundle clamped therebetween into and thru said annularguiding channel.

5. In a machine for producing straw beads, a table having a top surface,an arm arranged to make a pivotable movement relatively thereto andhaving extending from the surface adjacent said table surface asubstantially funnel shaped notch, releasable means to hold said arm ina position, ll]. which said notch engages said table surface to formtherewith a funnel shaped aperture, means operable to move said arm to aposition in which said notch is spaced from said table surface, anaperture adjacent said arm extending in opposite directions from saidnotch in the position where said arm engages said table surface, asupporting structure extending above and below said table in alignmentwith said aperture therein and carrying supporting rollers, a ringrotatably mounted supported by said rollers and having its centersubstantially in alignment with said notch in the position thereof, inwhich said arm engages said table surface, said ring comprising at leasttwo portions arranged for relatively mutual movement to allow said ringto be opened, means for mutually locking said two ring portions, meansfor mounting a wire spool on said ring, a driving roller movablyarranged to engage the circumference of said ring, power means fordriving said roller, means operable at will for keeping said drivingroller in engagement with said ring to impart a continuous rotationthereon, said operable means further being releasable, at least tworeleasable rollers mounted for rotatable movement extending thru the topsurface of said table adjacent said aperture therein and in spacedrelationship opposite said funnel shaped notch,,said rollers formingbetween them a passageway, a gear mechanism for rotating said rollers ina direction to impart a forward movement to a straw bundle clamped inthe passageway between said rollers, means for intermittently drivingsaid roller driving gear mechanism responsive to the rotation of saidring, means operable at will to move at least one of said rollers to aposition spaced from said other roller to release the straw bundleclamped therebetween, said Operable means also being adapted to releasesaid arm having said funnel shaped notch from its position engaging saidtable surface, a pair of substantially circular guiding membersdetachably arranged on said table surface in spaced relationship to formtherebetween, a substantially circular guiding path extending betweenthe output side from said rollers and the input side of said funnelshaped notch bypassing said rotatably arranged ring.

6. In a machine for producing straw beads, a table having a top surface,an arm arranged to make a pivotable movement relatively thereto andhaving extending from the surface adjacent said table surface, asubstantially funnel shaped notch, releasable means to hold said arm ina position, in which said notch engages said table surface to formtherewith a funnel shaped aperture, means operable to move said arm to aposition in which said notch is spaced from said table surface, anaperture adjacent said arm extending in opposite directions from saidnotch in the position where said arm engages said table surface, asupporting structure extending above and below said table in alignmentwith said aperture therein and carrying supporting rollers, a ringrotatably mounted supported by said rollers and having its centersubstantially in alignment with said notch in the position thereof, inwhich said arm engages said table surface, said ring comprising at leasttwo portions arranged for relatively mutual movement to allow said ringto be opened, means for mutually locking said two ring portions, meansfor mounting a wire spool on said ring, a driving roller movablyarranged to engage the circumference of said ring, power means fordriving said roller, means operable at will for keeping said drivingroller in engagement with said ring to impart a continuous rotationthereon, said operable means further being releasable, at least threerollers mounted for rotatable movement extending thru the top surface ofsaid table adjacent said aperture therein and with two of said rollersin spaced relationship from said third roller opposite said funnelshaped notch, said rollers forming between them passageway, a gearmechanism for rotating said rollers in a direction to impart a forwardmovement to a straw bundle clamped in the passageway between saidrollers, means for intermittently driving said roller driving gearmechanism responsive to the rotation of said ring, a lever system tomove at least one of said rollers to a position spaced from said otherrollers to release the straw bundle clamped therebetween, said leversystem having means to release said arm having said funnel shaped notchfrom its position engaging said table surface, a pair of substantiallycircular guiding members detachably arranged on said table surface inspaced relationship to form therebetween a substantially circularguiding path extending between the output side from said rollers and theinput side of said funnel shaped notch bypassing said rotatably arrangedring.

7. In a machine for producing straw rings, a table, an arm having asubstantially funnel shaped notch extending from one side thereofmovably arranged relatively to the top surface of said table, means tokeep said arm in position with said notch adjacent the surface of saidtable, means operable to raise said arm to a position, in which saidnotch is spaced from said table surface, an aperture in said tablesurface adjacent said arm at the narrow funnel opening side thereof andextending in both directions from said narrow funnel opening, a ringrotatably mounted thru said aperture having its center of rotationsubstantially in alignment with said funnel opening and carrying thereona wire reservoir, a portion of said ring hingedly connected to the otherportion thereof, locking means adapted to lock said two ring portions,substantially circular guiding membersdetachably mounted on the topsurface of said table and extending to form an annular guiding channelsubstantially from said narrow funnel opening to said wide funnelopening and power means for imparting a continuousrotation movement tosaid ring.

HANS LUDVIG NIELSEN.

REFERENCES orrnp The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

